Question: Where was the first pizzeria in the United States?
Show answer
Manhattan, New York City.
The honor of the first pizzeria in the United States goes to Lombardi’s, located in New York City. Originally a small grocery store, Lombardi’s started selling pizza in 1905. The owner, Gennaro Lombardi, was an immigrant from Naples, Italy, where modern pizza originated.
His store at 53 1/2 Spring Street in Manhattan began selling pizzas made with the distinctive ingredients of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, baked in a coal-fired oven. The business quickly evolved from a grocery store into a full-fledged pizzeria, marking the beginning of the pizza industry in the U.S.
Though it temporarily closed in the mid-1980s, Lombardi’s later reopened a block away at 32 Spring Street and continues to serve pizza today. It remains a popular destination for locals and tourists alike seeking a slice of American pizza history. The impact of Lombardi’s is undeniable as pizzerias are now ubiquitous across the U.S., and pizza itself has become one of America’s favorite foods. Each region adding its own twist and flavor to the Italian classic.
